Apr 17, 2023
vague recollections of my school years
a window looking out onto the courtyard,
an evergreen outside, a green leafy plant on the windowsill.
counting down the minutes,
then days.
glancing at a watch,
because the clock is five minutes fast.
chairs scrapping against the carpet
and chewing gum on the underside of desks.
picking up papers, consulting timetables,
laughing so hard you cry.
crying in a bathroom, suppressing a panic attack.
scratchy jumpers, no tights, rolling up the sleeves of your shirt.
school shoes that made your heel bleed,
hand-me-downs,
handouts.
school jacket you never quite grew into
and steep wooden stairs.
knowing you will never be this young again
